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Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.

Philippians 4:6-7

If you're anxious about something, being told "Don't be" doesn't usually help. Anxiousness doesn't just disappear because it's been told to. You find that it has taken root (like a weed through concrete or ivy in the mortar of a building) and eroded faith in Jesus in that area of your life. So what does Paul suggest? Make sure that in everything you "make your requests known to God by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving" - taking everything before God in humility combined with giving thanks. This way at the very same time that you're pouring out your worries, fears and concerns, you simultaneously remind yourself of the goodness and kindness that God has already shown you in Christ. As you re-focus on Jesus and what he has done for you - which is like supplying oxygen to the flame of your faith - you actively reinforce your trust in God before the uncertainties of your future get a chance to take hold and sprout in your life as anxiousness. If we take everything to God, he promises to guard our hearts and minds with his peace - preventing worry and anxiousness from usurping his place. Is there anything you are worrying about? Have you brought it before God?

Rejoice in the Lord always; again I will say, Rejoice. Let your reasonableness be known to everyone. The Lord is at hand; Phil 4:4-5

What causes you to rejoice? Is it environmental factors, like when you've had a good day? Or you find a fiver in a pair of jeans you haven't worn for a while? Or you've got a sense of achievement? Or the cute receptionist smiled at you, you got your favourite parking spot and the traffic lights were all green? Paul's in jail - he didn't have a good day and he's writing to a church that is seriously worried about him and Epaphroditus, one of their guys who nearly died while coming to support Paul. They face persecution. They've got a couple of ladies in the church who, although being deeply spiritual and great pillars of the church, have fallen out so badly that they need someone else to help reconcile them. But Paul demands that they (and we) rejoice. Because rejoicing is a choice - it should be something we proactively determine to do in all circumstances, rather than reactive, an emotion driven response to daily trivialities. Rejoice in the Lord. Because of what he's done. Because of who you are now in Christ. Rejoice because your future in Christ is bright. Rejoice because harsh as they may be, deep as the wounds they inflict are, your present sufferings aren't fit to be compared to the abundance of glory that is waiting to be revealed. Rejoice today - regardless of how the wife/boss/kids/co-workers/bus driver/traffic lights/whatever treats you: rejoice. I'll say it again: rejoice.

Therefore, my brothers, whom I love and long for, my joy and crown, stand firm thus in the Lord, my beloved. I entreat Euodia and I entreat Syntyche to agree in the Lord. Yes, I ask you also, true companion, help these women, who have labored side by side with me in the gospel together with Clement and the rest of my fellow workers, whose names are in the book of life.

Philippians 4:1-3

Here we see people that Paul had been working alongside that have had some sort of disagreement.  It's clearly something fairly significant for Paul to have been told about it, but there's no mention here of what they were disagreeing about.  What does Paul suggest?  Firstly he encourages them to agree and be reconciled.  Secondly he asks an unnamed mutual friend to get alongside and help them sort things out.  It's clear that Paul thinks highly of these women and sees them as his fellow workers, he doesn't doubt their faith because of the disagreement, instead he is certain of their salvation, saying that their names are in the book of life.

What do you do when you see disagreements between fellow Christians?

Do you take sides and join in, or do you try and resolve things?

Are you aware of a situation where you could be that third person, the one Paul asks to help them?

But our citizenship is in heaven, and from it we await a Saviour, the Lord Jesus Christ, who will transform our lowly body to be like his glorious body, by the power that enables him even to subject all things to himself.

Philippians 3:20-21

Do you remember seeing the first Matrix film? It seemed like a quantum leap in film making - rotating 3D views of bullets as they flew through the air, only to see Neo and his buddies dodge them - and, if you're anything like me, you probably wondered what it would be like to do that? How would it change my life? So what if you knew that you had been completely forgiven? Forgiven to the point that you could stand without fear in the presence of a God who cannot bear to look on evil and is, by his own admission, a consuming fire. What if you knew that even though you look like everyone else, you are in fact a new creation - born again by the spirit of God. And as you find longings inside yourself that nothing on earth can satisfy, what conclusion do they lead you to? Regardless of where you came from, when you came to Christ, your destination became all that mattered. You were born again. You have a new identity, with new allegiances and new ambitions. Knowing that will transform the way we live now: to live meaningfully, we must live forwards. The direction, the trajectory, of our lives should strain towards the future God plans for us, not be shackled by the past he saved us from. It won't take us all the way - that requires divine intervention by the Sovereign God who made and controls the universe. Even if we can't sail there in our own strength, let's still point our tillers of our lives toward our new home. Because God's given us new passports.

Brothers, join in imitating me, and keep your eyes on those who walk according to the example you have in us.  For many, of whom I have often told you and now tell you even with tears, walk as enemies of the cross of Christ.  Their end is destruction, their god is their belly, and they glory in their shame, with minds set on earthly things.

Philippians 3:17-19, ESV

"For many ... walk as enemies of the cross of Christ" - now initially when I read this, my mind jumped to those outside the church, those who don't know Jesus.  Then I read it again - Paul isn't saying those who are enemies, but those who live as if they are enemies of the cross of Christ - in other words those who call themselves Christians and aren't following Jesus.

People who claim to have turned to Jesus, but whose lives are unchanged.

People who find their purpose in their appetites for the things of the world.

People who enjoy their sin and shame - rather than setting it aside and turning away, it is something that they look forward to, enjoy, and seek instead of God.

Is this you?

If it is - this is serious.  It leads to destruction, death and hell.

Now is the time to change - return to God and turn away from your sin.  Commit to following him afresh and do it properly this time!  Remember we're not going at it alone - Jesus has promised to be with us himself - and he's also given us each other.  Find a Christian brother you can share with, and hold each other accountable as you journey heavenwards together following Jesus.

Brothers, join in imitating me, and keep your eyes on those who walk according to the example you have in us. (Phil 3:17)

Were you ever frustrated by the hypocrisy of your school teachers? I still remember a boiling hot summer's day when as I was leaving school, I and a group of friends were stopped and forced to tuck our shirts in by our English teacher. He stood there, his shirt entirely untucked and, with an all-to-smug smile on his face, said: "Do as I say, not do as I do." That may work in school. Or in the workplace. Or in the army. Or amongst the rulers of the gentiles. It is not OK in the church. We are to focus our attention on following and imitating are those who live the life. Instead of looking out for people who are getting it wrong, we should all be on the lookout for those who are getting it right and be prepared to shamelessly copy them. Rip Identify what they are doing that is good. e.g. a guy who is careful to let his wife know that he loves her. Mix Work out what that would look like for you. e.g. you should let your wife know that you love her - not his! Burn Start doing it. e.g. kiss her. Rip. Mix. Burn. The health of your soul might just depend on it.